Ganna blasts into the race lead

Filippo Ganna took second place in the third stage of the Vuelta a San Juan today in Argentina, a time trial of 14.4 kilometres, and moved into the race lead. The short, weeklong stage race ends on Sunday after a couple of upcoming mountain stages that will test Ganna. Yesterday the young rouleur came close to winning as well, taking fourth place in the fast uphill finish as he was trying to catch a three-man move which worked free at 2.5 kilometres before the final climb to the finish. He failed, but showed his strength regardless. Today, he confirmed his form with second place and the leader’s jersey.

Ganna only lost by 25 seconds to the Irish national champion Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo), who won with 17-43 minutes. Mullen already went runner up at the 2014 under 23 Worlds in Ponferrada and placed fifth in the time trial worlds last year behind winner Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb). Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) placed third at 30″, and now trails Ganna by 5″ in the overall classification.

“I wanted to win,” said Ganna, “but I knew that Mullen was a hard one to beat. I am consoled by this leader’s jersey. Now I will try to defend it as long as possible with the help of all of my team.”

The Vuelta a San Juan tomorrow will take on its first serious mountains in the fourth stage, taking the riders from San José Jachal to Valle Fertil – Villa San Agustin over 182.8 kilometres. They face an early category three climb and two category one climbs, with the last one coming at 81 kilometres from the finish.

Results

1 Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) 17’43’’

2 Filippo Ganna (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +25’’

3 Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) +30’’

General classification after 3 stages

1 Filippo Ganna (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 6h58’37’’

2 Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) +5’’

3 Oscar Sevilla (Medellin) +11’’